Apparatus for handling strip material



Nov. 4, 1941. MORGAN 2,261,657

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIP MATERIAL [NVENTOR NYC-E5 MORGAN fl w o'm k ATTORNEY Nov. 4, 1941. M. MORGAN 2,261,657

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIP MATERIAL INS/EN TOR MYL E5 MOR GA A T70R15? Y Patented Nov. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIP MATERIAL Myles Morgan, Worcester, Mass., assignor to Margan Construction Company. Worcester, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 24, 1939, Serial No. 286,118

14 Claims.

- apron conveyor which moves in the same direction as the-stock but at a much lower speed. By oscillating the delivery guide in a horizontal plane, the stock issuing therefrom is caused to fold back and forth in a series of loops which are carried along on the conveyor. The conveyor transports the stock to suitable reels which form it into cylindrical coils. Because of the back and forth folding of the stock and the slow speed at which the stock approaches the reels, the operator has ample time to attach the front end of each piece of stock to a reel, form the coil, and remove the completed coil from the reel before the next piece arrives at the reel. Furthermore, the stock has an appreciable time to cool during its travel with the conveyor. The advantages of such an arrangement of apparatus are not limited to narrow applicable to wide strip. However, the front portion of the strip tends to tip laterally after leaving the oscillating guide and it is a very dfiicult task to turn wide stripon edge again and enter its front end in the reel. For this reason heretofore only relatively narrow strips have been subjected to the process described.

It is accordingly the main object of the invention to so improve the prior apparatus abovedescribed as to render it capable, of handling comparatively wide metal strips successfully.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a comparatively simple, inexpensive and dependable apparatus adapted for use with metal strips of considerable width, and including a conveyor and means associated therewith, to fold th stock back and forth in a horizontal plane, the stock remaining in an upright position with one edge resting on the conveyor.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the inven; tion resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto. Referring to the drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts,

strip but are just as source of power.

plates i8 secured to endless chains l9 which. extend around rotatable sprocket wheels 20. Upright side guards 2| are mounted on opposite ill shaft as Fig. l is a plan view of an apparatus for haudling strip metal;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a diagram of certain electrical circuits.

The embodiment illustrated comprises a pair of vertical pinch rolls l0 mounted in a housing II and arranged to be rotated by any suitable At the discharge side of the pinch rolls is a delivery guide or so-called "vibrator" i2 having a pair of idler rollers ll therein. This vibrator I2 is oscillated in a horizontal plane in a well-known manner. Immediately beyond the vibrator is a flat horizontal table it, and immediately beyond the table is an apron conveyor l8 comprising a series of flat horizontal sides of the table It and conveyor It. The

apparatus as so far described is of old and wellknown construction, and in the operation thereof hot metal strip from a rolling mill passes between the pinch rolls l0, throughthe vibrator i2, and acrossthe table II, to the conveyor IS. The oscillation of the vibrator causes the stock to fold back and forth in long loops on the conveyor.

This mode of operation will proceed satisfactorily with comparatively narrow stock, but if wide stock is supplied to the apparatus, certain difliculties arise. When the front end of the strip issues from the vibrator, this'front end may tip over laterally before there has beenany time available to form the desired loops, and if this does occur it is very difiicult to turn the stock on edge again, as is necessary to enter the stock in the reel. The wider the stock may be in relation to its thickness. the more serious thisproblem becomes. In order to overcome this difficulty, I provide means to support the. front portion of the stock laterally for a brief period until a few loops have been formed, whereupon the supporting means is moved out of the path of the stock to allow the stock to be carried along by the conveyor. In its preferred form vthis supporting means comprises a pair of upright gates 23 mounted above the conveyor l6. When these gates are closed, as shown in Fig. 1, they form a V-shaped barrier which converges in the direction of stock travel. Each gate 23 is secured near its outer edge to a vertical shaft 24 which is rotatably supported in a suitable bracket 25. In order that the gates may move in unison each carries at its uppen-end a horizontal them.

arm 21. One of these arms extends in a generally forward direction and the other extends in a generally rearward direction, and they are connected by a horizontal rod 23 sufficiently high above the conveyor to allow the stock to pass beneath. The gates are preferably biased toward their closed position, and for this purpose each shaft 24 has an arm 29 secured thereto, each arm being connected by a link 3| to a bell crank lever 32 having a weight 33 'ther n. The two bell crank levers are pivotally supported on opposite sides of the conveyor l6.

With the construction as sofar described, the front end of the stock will issue from the vibrator l2, ordinarily at very high speed, and before the stock has time to tip laterally it will strike the closed gates 23. Because of the converging arrangement of these gates, they will provide lateral support for the front end of the stock and at the same time they will retard the forward movement of the front end for a brief moment until the action of the vibrator has formed a few loops in the stock. The conveyor I5 of course tends to carry the stock forwardly at a low speed, and if the pressure against the gates increases sufllciently, they will open despite their bias and allow the stock to pass between 1 preferably provide means to open and close the gates automatically in response to the arrival and'departure of each piece of stock, the opening movement of course being delayed suflicientiy to ensure the proper looping of the stock. For this purpose a suitable fluid motor 35 is mounted at one side of the conveyor l5, thismotor having a reciprocable piston rod 36 which carries a pin 31. This pin is located in a slot 33 (Fig. 1) in a link 4|! connected to one of the arms 29. This construction provides a lost motion connection between the motor and the gates, whereby the motor can effect a positive opening of the gates, but the gates can be closed only by the action of the weights 33 under the control of the motor.

Some distance in front of the gates I provide a light source 42 (Fig. 1). arranged to project a light beam 43 across the path of the stock and toward a light sensitive device 44 which is preferably a photo-electric .tube. Slightly in the rear of the gates I provide a second light source 43 arranged to project a light beam 41 across the path of the stock and toward a light sensitive device 43 which is preferably a photo-electric tube. Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the motor 35 is connected by pipes 43 and V 50 to a four-way valve mechanism 5| having a slideable valve member 53 which is biased in one direction by, a tension spring 54 and arranged to be moved in the opposite direction by a solenoid 55. A suitable pressure fluid, such as com ressed air, is supplied to thevalve mechanism 5| tin-ouch a pipe 55. The various parts are so arranged that with the solenoid 55 de-energized and the valve fnember 53 held by the spring 54 in the position illustrated, air will flow through the pipe 53 to the motor 35, the pipe 43 being opened to atmosphere, and the motor will allow the gates 23 to be held closed by the weights 33. If now, the solenoid 55 is energized, the valve member 53 will be moved to the opposite end of its stroke,

reversing the connections to the motor 35, and 10 the motor will immediately open .thuates.

The energization of the solenoid is controlled by the action of the stock as it interrupts the light beams which are directed toward the photoare connected in parallel. The switch is of the normally closed type controlled by an amplifler and relay 33 of well-known construction which is connected in circuit with the photoelectric tube 48 and a source of electricity shown as a battery 64, these parts being so arranged that when light strikes the tube 48 current will flow through the relay 63,-and the switch 53 will be opened. The switch .BI is also of the normally closed type and is controlled by a solenoid which is connected in series with a normally open switch 61 controlled by an amplifier and relay 68 of well -known construction. connected in circuit with the photo-electric tube 44 and a source of electricity shown as a battery 59, these parts being so arranged that when light strikes the tube 44 current will flow through the relay 68, closing the switch 61, energizing the solenoid 66, and opening the switch 6|. Means is preferably provided to delay slightly the closing movement of the switch 6| when the solenoid 66 is de-energized, and for this purpose the plunger of this solenoid is connected to the piston II of an oil dashpot I2, this dashpot having two by-pass conduits l3 and 14, both of which connect to opposite sides of the piston. The conduit 13 is provided with a valve 16, which is preferably of the needle type, and the conduit 14 is provided with a check valve 11 which opens in a direction to allow the switch 5| to open freely whenthe solenoid '63 is energized. When the solenoid 66 is de-energized the closing movement of the switch 6| is delayed, since the oil in the dashpot is forced to flow through the valve 16, which can be adjusted to produce the desired delay period.

The operation 0 apparent from the above disclosure. With the main switch 59 closed, the lamps 42 and 4G lighted, and no stock in position to interrupt the light'beams 43 and 41, the switch 60 will be held open by the relay 63, the switch 61 will be held closed-by the relay 68, the solenoid 65 will be energized, the switch 5| will be held open thereby, and the solenoid 55 will be de-energized. The spring 54 will hold the valve 53 in the position shown, and the gates 23 will be closed. When the front end of the stock reaches the light beam 43 and interrupts the same, light will nolonger fall on the tube 44, and the switch 31 will therefore open, de-energizing the solenoid 65. The switch 5! will start to close,'but its movement will be delayed by the action of'the dashpot I2, since the oil therein must flow through the needle valve 16 as the piston II descends. In the meantime, the front end of the stockgwhich may be traveling at very high speed, has reached the closed converging gates 23. These gates will support the front end of the stock laterally and impede its forward progress for a brief moment until a few loops have been formed in the stock by the action of the vibrator I2, somewhat as shown Fig. 1, it being understood that the exact shape which the stock will assume will depend uponseveral factors, including the particular angular position of the vibrator when the front end issues therefrom. When suflicient loops have been formed in the stock to render it self-supporting and prevent it from falling over laterally, the switch 3| will have completed itselectric tubes 44 and 48. For this purpose there .7. closing movement under the influence of the is provided a source 58 of electricity under the I The relay 38 is f the invention will now be end of the stock has 2,261,657 dashpot 12. This will energize the solenoid 55,

for any reason the pressure of the stock against the gates 23 becomes excessive before they are opened by the automatic control, this pressure will itself open the gatesin opposition to the comparatively light'weights 83, the lost-motion slot All allowing this opening movement to take place without moving the piston rod 38. As soon as the front end of the stock passes through the gates and interrupts the light beam 41, the switch 60 will close, but this will have no immediate effect, since the solenoid 55 is already energized. The pinch rolls ill will continue to deliver the stock at high speed and the vibrator I 2 will continue to form loops therein throughout the entire length of the piece. When the rear end of the stock has passed the light beam 43, light will again fall on the tube 44, closing switch 61, energizing solenoid 66 and opening switch 6| without delay, since the check valve Tl will allow rapid upward movement of the piston ll. Solenoid 55 will remain energized through the closed switch 60. When the rear end of the stock has passed the light beam 41, light will again fall on the tube 48, and the switch 60 will be opened, de-energizing the solenoid 55. The spring 54 will return the valve member-53 to the position shown in Fig. 4, admitting air through the pipe 50 to the motor 35, and the motor will immediately close the gates 23 in readiness for the next piece of stock.

It will now be clear that the invention makes it possible to deliver comparatively wide thin strip metal in an upright position and form loops therein without danger of the front end of the stock tipping over laterally and causing subsequent handling difllculties. This is brought about by comparatively simple, inexpensive and dependable apparatus. which operates entirely automatically to provide the necessary lateral support for the stock and to withdraw this support at the proper time.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire Patent is: I

1. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright position to the conveyor,- aguide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a barrier mounted in the,

Dath'of the stock arranged to prevent the continued forward movement of the front end thereof, means to move the barrier out of the path of the stock shortly after the front end of the stock has reached the same, and means to return the barrier to its original position after the rear passed the same.

2. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright to secure by Letters-6o pivotal supports for the outer edges oi the gates so that they may swing open to allow the looped stock to pass between them.

3. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a pair of gates mounted in the. path of the stock and forming a barrier which converges inthe direction of stock travel,

to provide lateral support for the front end of the stock until one or more initial lo ops have been formed in the stock, means providing pivotal supports for the outer edges of the gates so that they may swing open to allow the looped stock to pass between them, and a motor connected to the gates to actuate the same.

4. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright posttion to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a pair of gates mounted in the path of the stock and forming a barrier which converges in the direction of stock travel to provide lateral support for the front end of the stock until one or more initial loops have been formed in the stock, means providing pivotal supports for the outer edges of the gates so that they may swing open to allow the looped stock to pass between them, means biasing the gates toward their closed position, a motor, and means providing a lost motion connection between the motor and the gates.

5. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stockin an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a pair of gates mounted in the path of the stock and forming abarrier which conposition to the conveyor, 9. guide for the stock movable back and forth of loops in the stock, a the path of the stock which converges invthe direction of stock travel to provide lateral support for the front end of the stock until one or been formed in the stock, and means providing laterally to form a series pair of gates mounted in and forming a barrier more initial loops have verges in the direction of stock travel to provide lateral support for the front end of the stock until one or more initial loops have been formed in the stock, means providing pivotal supports for the outer edges of the gates so that they may swing open to allow the looped stock to pass between them, means projecting a light beam across the path of the stock in front of the gates. means to open the gates in response to interruption of said light beam by the front end of the stock. means projecting a second light beam across the path of the stock in the rear of the gates, and means to close the gates in response to the second light beam after the rear end of the stock has passed the same.

.6. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops. inthe stock, a pair of gates mounted in the path of the stock and forming a barrier which converges in the direction of stock travel to provide lateral support for the front end of the stock until one or more initial loops have been formed in the stock, means providing pivotal supports for the outer edges of the gates so that they may swing open to allow-the looped stock to pass between them, means projecting a light beam across the path of the stock in front of the gates.

means projecting a second-light, beam across the the same, a solenoid valve to control the flow of pressure fluid to the motor, and means to so control the solenoid valve in response to the interruptions of said light beams by the stock as to open the gates shortly after the front end of the stock has reached the same and to close the gates shortly after the rear end of the stock has passed the same.

'7. Apparatus for handling strip metal com-. prising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a barrier mounted adjacent the conveyor, means supportingthe barrier for movement into and out of the path of the stock, and means yieldably urging the barrier toward a position in the path of the stock and so constructed that the barrier will move out of the said path in the event the pressure of the stock thereagainst becomes excessive.

8. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a barrier mounted adjacent the conveyor, and means supporting said barrier for movement between an open and a closed position, the barrier when openbeing out of the path of the stock, and when closed providing sur-- faces located in the path of the stock and converging in the direction of travel thereof to provide lateral support .for the front end of the stock.

9. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising. a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a barrier mounted in the path of the stock arranged toprevent'the continued forward movement of the front end thereof, and means to move the barrier out of the path of the stock shortly after the front end of the stock has reached the same.

10. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a barrier mounted adjacent the conveyor, and means supporting the barrier for movement between an open and a closed position, the barrier when open being out of the path of the stock, and'when closed being located in the path of the stock to prevent the continued forward movement of thefront end thereof. 11. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor,

, means to deliver strip metal stockin an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a barrier mounted adjacent the conveyor, and means supporting the barrier for movement between an open position out of the path of the stock and a closed position in the path of the stock, the barrier being yieldably biased toward its closed position and so arranged that it will move toward its open position in the event the pressure of the stock thereagainst becomes excessive. I

12. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially o horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a barrier mounted adjacent the conveyor, and means pivotally supporting the barrier for a swinging movement between anwhen closed being located in the path of the stock to prevent the continued forward movement of the front end thereof.

13. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver-strip metal stock in an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops in the stock, a barrier mounted adjacent the conveyor, means supporting the barrier for movement between an open and a closed position, the barrier when open being out of the path of the stock, and when closed being located in the path of the stock to prevent the continued forward movement of the front end thereof, and a motor connected to the barrier to actuate the ,same.

14. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising a substantially horizontal conveyor, means to deliver strip metal stock in an upright position to the conveyor, a guide for the stock movable back and forth laterally to form a series of loops irflthe stock, a barrier mounted adjacent to the conveyor, means supporting the barrier for movement between an open and a closed position, the barrier when open being out of the path of the stock, and'when closed being located in the path of the stock to prevent the continued forward movement of the front end thereof, means biasing the barrier toward its closed position, a motor, and means providing a lost motion connection between the rnotorand the barrier, the barrier being arranged to yield in the event the pressure of the stock thereagainst becomes excessive.

MYLES MORGAN. 

